Fairing For Road King
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 975
Likes: 14
From: Bayville, NJ
Fairing For Road King
I looked at both tonight on the computer, and to be honest wasn't excited about either or. Not saying they are bad, just have to do my due diligence before I buy. Probably going to do this over the winter so have some time. I'm glad this thread exists for those of us who are unsure about which to buy.
However, most guys with detach fairings wind up leaving the fairings on virtually all the time, taking it off likely won't be an issue.
The problem with the detach fairings is that they sit too high, and are tipped forward, compared to a stock fairing. They look good, but they look aftermarket. Most folks probably won't notice, but die hard Harley guys can spot an aftermarket fairing from across the parking lot. If you change to bagger handlebars, and work the brackets, you probably could get an aftermarket fairing close to the stock position.
The best solution is just do the street glide conversion. Some guys do the whole thing, including changing to the fairing model main wire harness, which allows the fairing interconnect to just plug in, along with the handlebar wiring, etc. That's what I did with my Road Glide conversion. Everything on my bike works as factory, including the radio, gauges and hand controls.
Some guys are spending upwards of 2K for a detach fairing loaded up with audio gear, and for that money, you can do a full fairing conversion (Street Glide or Road Glide).
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
One big advantage of an after market faring is you can modify or make the brackets fit at the lean/angle you want, such as with taller bars. If you have a little taller bars that are above a stock faring mount, you can make it so the hands are still protected by the faring. Much better for winter rides.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 122
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
If I wanted gauges, I am sure he would have cut the holes for me...good luck deciding.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 975
Likes: 14
From: Bayville, NJ
You guys with ape hangers on your 'Kings and the Reckless fairing...did you have to modify anything to accommodate the handlebars? I've got 16" Wild One apes on my bike now and didn't have to modify the windshield bracket at all, was just wondering about the fairing.
Mike, glad you posted about the fairing sitting high. Maybe I will modify the bracket to sit it lower, but then again I'm 6'4 with a long torso so it shouldn't bother me. And I'll agree about them being expensive man. When the rep for Hoppe at Americade told me the fairing was $1800 not painted I almost fainted. From what I'm reading, the Reckless unit painted will run me $1200.
Mike, glad you posted about the fairing sitting high. Maybe I will modify the bracket to sit it lower, but then again I'm 6'4 with a long torso so it shouldn't bother me. And I'll agree about them being expensive man. When the rep for Hoppe at Americade told me the fairing was $1800 not painted I almost fainted. From what I'm reading, the Reckless unit painted will run me $1200.
Last edited by patriot2500; Aug 11, 2015 at 06:21 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
From: Canada
I just added a fairing to my 2013 Road King. I used all OEM parts. It's not detachable, so you have to commit to turning the bike into a Street Glide/ Electra glide. But if you're good at all with a wrench, you should be able to do it yourself in no time. It took me a while, but I could only work on it sporadically over the winter/spring. Plus I added 14" bars, which was the most time consuming part. I will add pics soon.